Delhi selector and former Test pacer Vivek Razdan, who keenly watched Sharma all day at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, said that even if the young pacer doesn’t get a game Down Under, he should be there in the squad. “He has been to England and has come to know how to bowl with the Dukes ball. Now if he goes to Australia he will get an idea about the conditions there and also learn to bowl with the Kookabura ball. All these things play a big role in the making of a international bowler,” he said.

All through this Test, Sharma has shown that he can bowl long spells and also has the skills to bowl the incoming ones. The problem area has been his line, and that has often meant the wicket-keeper diving to his left.

Razdan explains: “It is understandable that he was excited. He did bowl some great balls, but he has to be consistent. He now has to learn to bowl the away going delivery. In case he does that, he will be more successful,” he says.

The former pacer also pointed to a few areas that Sharma needs to work on. “Look at his non-bowling arm during the run-up. It is protruding out, hampering his running speed. Besides, when he approaches the stumps, his left leg doesn’t go high enough but straightens a bit. And that explains his tendency to over step the crease,” he says giving an explanation of the eight no balls in this game.

... contd.